Being John Malkovich (1999) | agoodmovietowatch

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Being John Malkovich 8.7 1999 Movie

Being John Malkovich

Dir. Spike Jonze · United States of America · English, French

Our take by Bilal Zouheir

A Spike Jonze classic. Funny, smart and a quirky cult-favorite comedy, it tells the story of unemployed New York City puppeteer Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) who reluctantly takes a temp job as a filing clerk for the eccentric Dr. Lester (Orson Bean). While at work, Craig discovers a portal that leads into the mind of renowned actor John Malkovich. It will have you asking “who the f*** came up with this plot?” once you’re done admiring just how smart everything about this movie is.

What happens

One day at work, unsuccessful puppeteer Craig finds a portal into the head of actor John Malkovich. The portal soon becomes a passion for anybody who enters its mad and controlling world of overtaking another human body.

What the critics said

Notable Critics

"The beauty of the film is the way it elevates John Malkovich from an actor to an axiom."

— Chris Chang

"Dazzlingly singular movies aren't often this much fun."

— Peter Rainer

Awards

Oscars

3 noms

Nominated: Best DirectorNominated: Best Original ScreenplayNominated: Best Supporting Actress

Venice

1 win · 1 nom

Won: FIPRESCI Prize (Dreams and Visions)Nominated: Special Mention: Future Film Festival Digital Award

Golden Globes

3 noms

Nominated: Best Motion PictureNominated: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion PictureNominated: Best Screenplay

BAFTA

2 wins · 4 noms

Won: Best Screenplay (Original)Won: Original ScreenplayNominated: Best EditingNominated: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting RoleNominated: EditingNominated: Supporting Actress

SAG Awards

2 noms

Nominated: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Theatrical Motion PictureNominated: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

DGA

1 nom

Nominated: Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures

Spirit Awards

1 win · 2 noms

Nominated: Best First FeatureWon: Best First ScreenplayNominated: Best Male Lead

WGA

1 nom

Nominated: Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen (Screen)

Nat. Board of Review

1 win

Won: Top Ten Films

NYFCC

3 wins · 1 nom

Won: Best First FilmWon: Best Supporting ActorWon: Best Supporting ActressNominated: Best Film

LAFCA

1 win · 1 nom

Won: Best ScreenplayNominated: Best Supporting Actor

César Awards

1 nom

Nominated: Best Foreign Film

Comments

  1. You feel like you have seen it all? Check this one out and you will come to the conclusion that you actually haven’t, just yet.

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About the author

Bilal Zouheir

Bilal Zouheir

Bilal Zouheir is the founder of A Good Movie to Watch. He is US-based and a member of the Nevada Film Critics Society. He grew up in Morocco, where he learned English from watching movies. Bilal's work with A Good Movie to Watch is focused on offering an alternative to streaming algorithms, which are often used as commercial tools by streaming services.